Jesus had died. But it was not the end of the matter. The day's events left the official onlookers terrified. It was definitely not a normal crucifixion-day. The eerie darkness from noon until three in the afternoon was frightening enough. Then light burst through again after Jesus surrendered His Spirit to His Father. Then there was an earthquake and many graves burst open.
 
Even the hardened Roman soldiers were gripped by fear, as though God was about to punish them for the unjust execution of the King of the Jews. The centurion suddenly understood that Jesus was not just an ordinary man. The only identity which made sense was that He was the Son of God, and the duty officer was not ashamed to say so.
 
We do not know where the disciples were. John had been instructed to take Mary to his home and to look after her (John 19:26-27). Of the others there is no mention: we assume they had taken themselves out of the public eye for fear of being identified with Jesus and might suffer His fate. But the women, who had been the 'support team' to Jesus, watched - their evidence would be crucial when the gospel writers like Matthew composed their accounts of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
 
There were so many witnesses to His death. God knew that this unique event was the centre of the gospel plan and that many would try to deny it ever happened. But it did; and so many people at the time knew the truth that the Jewish historian Josephus included it in his book as an undisputed fact. The facts upon which the gospel is based are not made up but real. They were just as God had planned them so that sinful people might know that they are fully forgiven when they trust in Jesus. The witnesses were a crucial part of confirming that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world: and there were many witnesses to the resurrection too. So tell the true story with confidence and let your friends be drawn to Jesus your Saviour. You can also be a crucial witness today (Acts 1:8).